handicap
a race or other contest in which certain disadvantages or advantages of weight, distance, time, etc., are placed upon competitors to equalize their chances of winning.
the disadvantage or advantage itself.
any disadvantage that makes success more difficult: The main handicap of our business is lack of capital.
Sometimes Offensive. a physical or mental disability making participation in certain of the usual activities of daily living more difficult.
to place at a disadvantage; disable or burden: He was handicapped by his injured ankle.
to subject to a disadvantageous handicap, as a competitor of recognized superiority.
to assign handicaps to (competitors).
Sports.
to attempt to predict the winner of (a contest, especially a horse race), as by comparing past performances of the contestants.
to assign odds for or against (any particular contestant) to win a contest or series of contests: He handicapped the Yankees at 2-to-1 to take the series from the Cardinals.
Origin of handicap
1Other words for handicap
Opposites for handicap
Other words from handicap
- non·hand·i·cap, noun
- o·ver·hand·i·cap, verb (used with object), o·ver·hand·i·capped, o·ver·hand·i·cap·ping.
- pre·hand·i·cap, noun, verb (used with object), pre·hand·i·capped, pre·hand·i·cap·ping.
Words Nearby handicap
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use handicap in a sentence
Faced with that handicap, even with good writing and performances, it’s hard for a movie to be anything but a bummer.
Wahlberg walks for redemption in disappointing ‘Joe Bell’ | John Paul King | July 22, 2021 | Washington BladeIf the horses hold true to form, this one won’t be tough to handicap.
Road to the Kentucky Derby arrives at Wood Memorial, Santa Anita Derby and Blue Grass Stakes | Neil Greenberg | April 2, 2021 | Washington PostFloor plates will extend from the center to the outside perimeter in various configurations, offering what looks to be a warren of green zones and sitting areas, as well as handicap access to the exterior of the building.
The Helix is a distraction. Amazon’s new headquarters will change more than just its Arlington neighborhood. | Philip Kennicott | February 18, 2021 | Washington PostThat could prove a severe handicap as the president-elect’s team prepares to take office amid a slew of threats from digital adversaries, including Russia, China and Iran.
Georgia announces hand audit | Felicia Sonmez, Colby Itkowitz, John Wagner, Derek Hawkins | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostDwayne’s at a little bit of a handicap because he’s only been in the system a year, where Kyle’s been in it for three.
Dwayne Haskins remains Washington’s third-string QB, but Ron Rivera hasn’t given up on him | Nicki Jhabvala | November 4, 2020 | Washington Post
“Lack of forward firing ordnance in a CAS supporting aircraft is a major handicap,” he added.
New U.S. Stealth Jet Can’t Fire Its Gun Until 2019 | Dave Majumdar | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTUnprepared, and a laughingstock because of his handicap, Yarvi is bullied on every front—even by his mother.
If the rest of us have had trouble catching up to Robespierre and crew, well, we are starting from a bit of a handicap.
Why Deny the Obvious: Hollywood’s Backward Stance on Abortion | Teo Bugbee | June 10, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe handicap, after some needling back and forth, was fixed at eight strokes.
McLean listened to the stranger's mild appeal for a ten-stroke handicap.
An absence of ducats, coupled with the necessity of getting my handicap down to ten, has prevented my speaking ere this.
First Plays | A. A. MilneWe have laboured under a terrible handicap owing to an almost fatal departure from the Swadeshi spirit.
Third class in Indian railways | Mahatma GandhiThe event of the season was the handicap race for the Cup given by the Queen, which took place on August 10.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.He might yet accomplish big things although he was under a terrific handicap—and he might not.
The Winning Clue | James Hay, Jr.It is a great handicap having no one to look after things down there.
Mount Everest the Reconnaissance, 1921 | Charles Kenneth Howard-Bury
British Dictionary definitions for handicap
/ (ˈhændɪˌkæp) /
something that hampers or hinders
a contest, esp a race, in which competitors are given advantages or disadvantages of weight, distance, time, etc, in an attempt to equalize their chances of winning
the advantage or disadvantage prescribed
golf the number of strokes by which a player's averaged score exceeds the standard scratch score for the particular course: used as the basis for handicapping in competitive play
any physical disability or disadvantage resulting from physical, mental, or social impairment or abnormality
to be a hindrance or disadvantage to
to assign a handicap or handicaps to
to organize (a contest) by handicapping
US and Canadian
to attempt to forecast the winner of (a contest, esp a horse race)
to assign odds for or against (a contestant)
Origin of handicap
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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